Our Strategies
To ensure people and wildlife can coexist and thrive, WCN employs three core strategies—supporting the most effective Conservation Partners with the funding and resources they need to protect wildlife, creating Wildlife Funds that provide flexible grants to a wide range of organizations that protect a specific species across its entire range, and investing in the education and career growth of Rising Wildlife Leaders.Conservation Partners
We find the best entrepreneurial organizations and invite them to receive in-depth, ongoing support by joining our Network of Conservation Partners. We provide our Partners with the financial resources, tools, and services they need to effectively protect wildlife. Conservationists in our Network work within local communities to find solutions that address the needs of both wildlife and people.
Learn MoreWildlife Funds
We establish Wildlife Funds when we see a need and an opportunity to protect threatened wildlife across a larger landscape. By providing specific, short-term funding to projects from institutions big and small, we harness the power of multiple organizations working to save a species throughout its entire habitat. 100% of donations to WCN'S Wildlife Funds go directly to the field, with zero overhead.
Learn MoreRising Wildlife Leaders
Conservation thrives when local conservationists have the support they need to protect wildlife. We invest in these brave women and men to strengthen their skills, build their organizations, and advance their careers in conservation. Through scholarships and grants, we provide support to the local people who are shaping conservation in their home countries, ensuring we have a greater and more sustainable impact for wildlife.
Learn MoreOur Strategies
To ensure people and wildlife can coexist and thrive, WCN employs three core strategies—supporting the most effective Conservation Partners with the funding and resources they need to protect wildlife, creating Wildlife Funds that provide flexible grants to a wide range of organizations that protect a specific species across its entire range, and investing in the education and career growth of Rising Wildlife Leaders.Conservation Partners
We find the best entrepreneurial organizations and invite them to receive in-depth, ongoing support by joining our Network of Conservation Partners. We provide our Partners with the financial resources, tools, and services they need to effectively protect wildlife. Conservationists in our Network work within local communities to find solutions that address the needs of both wildlife and people.
Wildlife Funds
We establish Wildlife Funds when we see a need and an opportunity to protect threatened wildlife across a larger landscape. By providing specific, short-term funding to projects from institutions big and small, we harness the power of multiple organizations working to save a species throughout its entire habitat. 100% of donations to WCN'S Wildlife Funds go directly to the field, with zero overhead.
Rising Wildlife Leaders
Conservation thrives when local conservationists have the support they need to protect wildlife. We invest in these brave women and men to strengthen their skills, build their organizations, and advance their careers in conservation. Through scholarships and grants, we provide support to the local people who are shaping conservation in their home countries, ensuring we have a greater and more sustainable impact for wildlife.
Dolphins and Dugongs
Marine mammals play important ecological roles as both predator and prey, but unfortunately, marine mammals in Malaysia are threatened by over-fishing, by-catch, boat traffic, plastic pollution, and noise pollution.
Cotton-Top Tamarin
The tiny cotton-top, which weighs less than a pound, are found only in northwestern Colombia and are one of the most endangered primates in the world.
Orangutan
Orangutans play a critical role in keeping forests healthy, but are Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and their low reproductive rate.
Lion—Niassa
Niassa National Reserve in Mozambique is one of the last great wild places on Earth and one of the important remaining strongholds for the African lion.
Saiga Antelope
The saiga antelope has been around since the Ice Age and once numbered in the millions; today only 40,000 survive.
Okapi
The gentle, mysterious okapi live only in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and though they appear to be half-zebra they are actually the closest relative of the giraffe.
Spectacled Bear
Spectacled bears, also known as Andean bears, are the only bear species in all of South America.
Gorillas
Gorillas are strong and social beings, yet they face threats from habitat degradation and disease transmission.
Rhinos
Today, fewer than 26,000 rhinos remain in Africa and Asia. Poaching for their horns and habitat loss continuously threaten the future of these distinctive giants.
Cheetah—Namibia
Cheetahs are famous for their speed and agility but are also one of Africa’s most endangered big cats.
Pangolins
Pangolins have the unfortunate distinction of being the most illegally trafficked wild mammal in the world. All eight species of pangolins are threatened with extinction.
Cheetah—Botswana
Botswana provides a home for approximately 30% of the earth’s remaining 7,100 cheetahs, it is the only country where their population remains stable.
Macaws
Macaws are renowned for their beauty, intelligence, and charisma, yet due to their slow reproductive rate very few remain in the wild.
Snow Leopard
The strikingly beautiful but endangered snow leopard remains one of the world’s most mysterious and rarely seen cats.
Elephant
Elephants are among the world’s most intelligent, sensitive and social animals, possessing both empathy and family values.
Small Wild Cats
Most people are familiar with big cats, but few could name the 33 species of small wild cats living all around the world.
Lion—Ewaso
Kenya is home to less than 2000 lions. In Northern Kenya, outside protected areas, lions and people are learning to coexist.
Ethiopian Wolf
The Ethiopian wolf is the rarest and most endangered canid in the world.
Grevy’s Zebra
Less than 2,500 Grevy’s zebra exist today; these special animals are distinguishable from other zebras by their larger size and round “Mickey Mouse” ears.
Sharks and Rays
Sharks and rays are essential for healthy oceans, but are vulnerable to human threats like pollution, climate change, and overfishing.
Grey Crowned Cranes
Grey Crowned Cranes are a symbol of longevity, but unfortunately are threatened by habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade.
Painted Dogs
Painted dogs have highly social and complex packs and approximately 100,000 dogs existed in the 1900’s, but now only 7,000 dogs are thought to remain.
Andean Cats
The Andean cat is one of the rarest and least known cats in the world; fewer than 1,400 exist in the mountains of South America.
Penguins
There are 18 different penguin species living throughout the Southern Hemisphere, 55% of which are listed as threatened.
Dolphins and Dugongs
Cotton-Top Tamarin
Orangutan
Lion—Niassa
Saiga Antelope
Okapi
Spectacled Bear
Gorillas
Rhinos
Cheetah—Namibia
Pangolins
Cheetah—Botswana
Macaws
Snow Leopard
Elephant
Small Wild Cats
Lion—Ewaso
Ethiopian Wolf
Grevy’s Zebra
Sharks and Rays
Grey Crowned Cranes
Painted Dogs
Andean Cats
Penguins
Dolphins and Dugongs
Marine mammals play important ecological roles as both predator and prey, but unfortunately, marine mammals in Malaysia are threatened by over-fishing, by-catch, boat traffic, plastic pollution, and noise pollution.
Cotton-Top Tamarin
The tiny cotton-top, which weighs less than a pound, are found only in northwestern Colombia and are one of the most endangered primates in the world.
Orangutan
Orangutans play a critical role in keeping forests healthy, but are Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and their low reproductive rate.
Lion—Niassa
Niassa National Reserve in Mozambique is one of the last great wild places on Earth and one of the important remaining strongholds for the African lion.
Saiga Antelope
The saiga antelope has been around since the Ice Age and once numbered in the millions; today only 40,000 survive.
Okapi
The gentle, mysterious okapi live only in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and though they appear to be half-zebra they are actually the closest relative of the giraffe.
Spectacled Bear
Spectacled bears, also known as Andean bears, are the only bear species in all of South America.
Gorillas
Gorillas are strong and social beings, yet they face threats from habitat degradation and disease transmission.
Rhinos
Today, fewer than 26,000 rhinos remain in Africa and Asia. Poaching for their horns and habitat loss continuously threaten the future of these distinctive giants.
Cheetah—Namibia
Cheetahs are famous for their speed and agility but are also one of Africa’s most endangered big cats.
Pangolins
Pangolins have the unfortunate distinction of being the most illegally trafficked wild mammal in the world. All eight species of pangolins are threatened with extinction.
Cheetah—Botswana
Botswana provides a home for approximately 30% of the earth’s remaining 7,100 cheetahs, it is the only country where their population remains stable.
Macaws
Macaws are renowned for their beauty, intelligence, and charisma, yet due to their slow reproductive rate very few remain in the wild.
Snow Leopard
The strikingly beautiful but endangered snow leopard remains one of the world’s most mysterious and rarely seen cats.
Elephant
Elephants are among the world’s most intelligent, sensitive and social animals, possessing both empathy and family values.
Small Wild Cats
Most people are familiar with big cats, but few could name the 33 species of small wild cats living all around the world.
Lion—Ewaso
Kenya is home to less than 2000 lions. In Northern Kenya, outside protected areas, lions and people are learning to coexist.
Ethiopian Wolf
The Ethiopian wolf is the rarest and most endangered canid in the world.
Grevy’s Zebra
Less than 2,500 Grevy’s zebra exist today; these special animals are distinguishable from other zebras by their larger size and round “Mickey Mouse” ears.
Sharks and Rays
Sharks and rays are essential for healthy oceans, but are vulnerable to human threats like pollution, climate change, and overfishing.
Grey Crowned Cranes
Grey Crowned Cranes are a symbol of longevity, but unfortunately are threatened by habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade.
Painted Dogs
Painted dogs have highly social and complex packs and approximately 100,000 dogs existed in the 1900’s, but now only 7,000 dogs are thought to remain.
Andean Cats
The Andean cat is one of the rarest and least known cats in the world; fewer than 1,400 exist in the mountains of South America.
Penguins
There are 18 different penguin species living throughout the Southern Hemisphere, 55% of which are listed as threatened.
Your Support in Action
Relocating 2,000 Rhinos
The Rhino Recovery Fund helped African Parks develop a rewilding strategy for their Platinum Rhino project, which will relocate 2,000 white rhinos to protected areas across Africa over the next decade. This will significantly bolster rhino recovery and reintroduce them to new segments of their historic range.
323 rangers trained
Conservation Through Public Health analyzed nearly 2,200 mountain gorilla fecal samples, finding human and livestock-related parasites present among gorilla populations. To address this health issue, CTPH trained 323 rangers in handling emerging infectious diseases and expanded their efforts to reduce disease transmission between local people, tourists, and gorillas.
112 Acoustic Pingers
MARECET deployed 112 acoustic pingers on the nets of 15 local fishers, which emit high frequency sounds to ward marine mammals away from fishing nets. Preliminary results indicate that the pingers are effective at reducing bycatch and preventing accidental marine mammal deaths.
5 Painted Dog Packs
Painted Dog Conservation recorded five painted dog packs in the buffer zone outside Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, the most packs seen in this area in over 25 years. PDC has spent many years securing this area for painted dogs and their efforts are helping populations there thrive.
Following Indonesia’s Giant Crocodiles
Raising his oar, Herdhanu Jayanto cleared a fallen branch from the narrow bend, the early morning peace periodically jolted by...
Read MoreTo Foster Coexistence, Start with Livestock
The cow’s ear swatted away a fly above its bright orange GPS collar, sunlight glinting across the screen of the...
Read MoreClimate Week NYC: Conservation and Climate Action are Inseparable
From September 23-27, Wildlife Conservation Network staff, Partners, and grantees gathered with governments, practitioners, and funders in New York City...
Read MoreHonoring Elephant Protectors on World Elephant Day
Today is World Elephant Day, when we celebrate the captivating giants that roam Africa and Asia and their vital role...
Read MoreLeading Lion Conservation with Pride
With a firm grip, Simbarashe Pride Chatikobo shook one of the pen’s wooden struts, testing its stability. Fortunately, the raised...
Read MorePulling Bats from the Fire
Inieke Udokang and her colleagues readied their binoculars and slowly stepped into the darkness, the soft light from their headlamps...
Read MoreLeave a Lasting Legacy for Wildlife
What do you want to live on after you? Many of our supporters envision a world where wildlife thrives, people...
Read MoreTwo Lions Make Record-Breaking Swim in Uganda
Two male lions, Tibu and Jacob, recently made headlines by making a record-breaking night swim across the Kazinga Channel, a...
Read MoreIgnorance is the Greatest Threat to Borneo's Bay Cat
Many wildlife species are dubbed “elusive.” Pangolins are hard to study due to their nocturnal and secretive nature. Snow leopards...
Read MoreFirst Spectacled Bears Fitted with GPS Collars at Machu Picchu
Just last week, Spectacled Bear Conservation (SBC) deployed the first GPS collars on two spectacled bears living in Peru's Historic...
Read More